From Story to Screen.

The XL Creative Hub Screenwriting Competition is a talent discovery and story development initiative created to identify emerging storytellers, nurture original Nigerian stories, and create a pathway from the written page to professional film production.

In 2026, writers from across Nigeria submitted original feature-film story concepts for the opportunity to have their work developed through the XL Creative Hub Creator Residency, evaluated by industry professionals, presented to a public audience, and considered for a professional writing and production opportunity.

Six Stories, Six Voices, One Journey to the Screen.

Following the submission period, six writers were selected as finalists:

Dear Child by Rukayat Zubair
Ibn Mohammed by Lekan Lofinji
The God Weaver by Tejiri Awanovwe
Beholden by Rachel Atiba
The Silence of God by Ini Otu Usendiah
The Weight of a Name by Gideon

Each finalist brought a distinct perspective, genre, and storytelling voice, reflecting the depth and diversity of emerging Nigerian screenwriting talent.

The Creator Residency 

The finalists came together for an intensive Creator Residency designed to take their stories beyond the initial concept.

Through story development, creative sessions, professional feedback, and interactions with experienced industry practitioners, the writers had the opportunity to strengthen their ideas and explore how their stories could translate from concept to screen.

The residency became a space for collaboration, learning, experimentation, and creative growth.

Where The Audience Became Part of the Story 

The six finalist stories were brought to life through visual trailer concepts and presented to a public audience on YouTube.

The audience was invited to watch, engage with, comment on, like, subscribe, and share the story they connected with most.

Public voting formed 40% of the final assessment, while professional judging accounted for the remaining 60%.

This approach allowed the competition to consider both professional creative assessment and audience engagement.

More Than a Competition 

At XL Creative Hub, we believe great stories deserve an opportunity to become more than ideas.

The Screenwriting Competition was created with a larger goal: to build a sustainable pathway for emerging writers to develop their work, connect with the creative industry, and potentially see their stories move into professional production.

The winning project would receive the opportunity for a professional feature-film writing contract and shared royalties, creating a bridge between emerging talent and the professional filmmaking ecosystem.

From Competition to Production 

One of the stories that emerged from the competition, The God Weaver by Tejiri Awanovwe, progressed beyond the competition stage and into film development and production with XL Creative Hub.

The project demonstrates the larger vision behind the initiative:

Discover the story.
Develop the writer.
Build the project.
Take it to the screen.

The competition is therefore not simply about finding a winner. It is about creating opportunities for stories, writers, and ideas to enter the wider creative ecosystem.

Building the Next Generation of Nigerian Storytellers 

The XL Creative Hub Screenwriting Competition is part of our commitment to discovering and developing new creative voices.

We are building an ecosystem where writers can move from imagination to execution, where original Nigerian stories can find audiences, and where emerging talent can gain access to real opportunities within the film industry.

The story starts on the page 

The screen is where it comes alive.